Gold Coast bushfires: Home owners urged to get ready amid fears of early start to season

Firies are urging Gold Coast residents to prepare now for bushfire season amid fears hot and dry conditions will see it start early this year. Full details.

With winter in its death throes, spotfires cropping up on the Gold Coast herald the looming threat of bushfire season.

Local firefighters are urging Gold Coasters to begin preparations amid warnings that bushfire season is likely to start early this year.

It comes as QFES attended on Monday to a small grassfire that had been intermittently burning over the past few days that again flared up – spreading 400 square metres near properties on Baltimore Court, Carrara.

QFES were alerted to the fire at around 11.55am on Monday and worked to extinguish the fire.

But according to fire fighters on the scene – without rain, there was no guarantee that the fire wouldn’t renew itself again.

Nerang Station Officer Monty Dayman makes a final check of burnt grasslands at Carrara before wrapping up operations. Gold Coasters have been advised to prepare for the upcoming fire season. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Nerang station officer Monty Dayman said it was a timely reminder for Gold Coasters that forecasted dry and high temperature weather systems would usher in the start of an early fire season.

“We know from the weather forecast that we’re moving into a relatively dry season,” Mr Dayman said.

“With that comes low humidity and high temperatures which is perfect for fire.

“We also know that climate has a direct link to how a bushfire season unfolds and we’ve seen in previous years that our bushfire season is starting earlier in August.”

Earlier this year, QFES issued a smoke warning for the Gold Coast after a bushfire broke out in Cedar Creek which burned for more than 24 hours.

According to the Gold Coast City Council, bushfire season is the most devastating threat facing the city every year.

The Gold Coast spans a mix of rural and highly urban landscapes meaning fire-preparedness will look different for Gold Coasters depending on where they live, Mr Dayman added.

“You’re not safe just because you live in the city,” Mr Dayman said. “There are some really simple and common things everyone can do like clean out your gutters, keep your yards clean and start planning your bushfire survival plan.

“You don’t want to start thinking about a plan when you’re in the midst of bushfire season.”

The annual bushfire season on the Gold Coast runs from September through to December. You can access more bushfire survival planning tips on the QFES website.